University of Waterloo

Compositional neurosymbolic representations enable efficient active exploration

Abstract Autonomous systems that learn and explore over long horizons face a problem. Standard methods scale poorly in the number of observations, n , precluding sustained operation on bounded hardware. We show that compositional, high-dimensional vector representations inspired...

Navigating the Early Years: A Guide for New Faculty

ABSTRACT The transition from doctoral student to tenure‐track assistant professor marks a critical juncture in an academic career. This conceptual commentary offers experience‐based insights for early‐career accounting faculty, addressing the distinct pressures of a discipline sh...

Comparison of estimated personalized treatment rules under varying interference structures and treatment rates using dynamic weighted ordinary least squares

Dynamic treatment regimes (DTRs) are statistical methods that use patient-specific information to estimate an optimal sequence of treatments, with the end goal of maximizing a desired outcome of interest. DTRs have many useful applications to chronic disease management when patie...

Navigating the Unknown: The Sociocultural and Metacognitive Architecture of Wisdom

Psychological wisdom research has shifted from characterizing rare exemplars and desired outcomes to specifying processes that support sound judgment under uncertainty. Yet it has advanced along two siloed research tracks: one on folk theories-cultural tools such as exemplars, na...

Interfacial LithiumRedox Kinetics Regulated by SolventAsymmetry and Moment of Inertia in Li Metal Batteries

Abstract Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) offer high energy density, but interfacial charge-transfer kinetics remain a bottleneck for high-rate operation. In this work, we construct a library of 12 ether solvents with systematic variations in symmetry and fluorination, confirming t...

Acoustic Controlof Spin States in Diamond Nitrogen-VacancyCentres

Abstract We report acoustic control of spin resonance in nitrogen-vacancy (NV–) centers in diamond using low-frequency free-space sound waves. Acoustic excitation redistributes spin populations between the |+1⟩ and |−1⟩ states, producing an asymmetric, tunable double-dip ODMR spe...

MetaboSense: An Integrated Quantum Dot‐Mediated Aptamer Assay and Modular Microfluidic Platform for Continuous In‐Line Monitoring of Lung Metabolism During Ex Vivo Perfusion

ABSTRACT Organ transplantation provides a life‐saving intervention for patients with end‐stage lung disease; however, access to this treatment remains limited by the shortage of donor organs. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a platform that enables surgeons to assess extended‐cri...

Holistic Inside‐Out Reconfiguration of Ni‐Rich Cathodes via a Thermally Self‐Driven Strategy for Exceptional Chemomechanical Stability

ABSTRACT Ni‐rich layered oxides (LiNi x Co y Mn 1− x − y O 2 , x ≥ 0.8) are indispensable for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries, yet they suffer from severe chemomechanical degradation driven by the synergy of internal microcracking and interfacial parasitic side reaction...

The C117D oxidation mimic reveals the monomeric structure of SARS ‐ CoV ‐2 main protease

Abstract The SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease (M pro ) is essential for viral replication and functions as a homodimer, with dimerization being critical for catalytic activity. M pro contains an unusually high number of cysteine residues. Among these, C117 and the catalytic nucleophile C...

Switching between a computer monitor and virtual reality to reduce the sustained attention decrement

Abstract The present study examined whether changing presentation context can restore sustained attention during monotonous tasks. Participants (N = 164) completed a sustained attention task (i.e., the visual metronome response task) with stimuli presented either on a computer mo...

Magnetic Insights Into Heterogeneous and Nonequilibrium Electrochemical Reactions

ABSTRACT Electrochemical energy systems are governed by interfacial reactions that are spatially heterogeneous and far from equilibrium, causing deviations from ideal behavior and unexpected phenomena. Despite significant advances, conventional characterization techniques remain...

Terminology for describing the 24-h cycle of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep: a scoping review

Abstract Background Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep are three behaviours which occupy the 24-h cycle and interact to influence a multitude of health outcomes. Different terms are currently used to describe these behaviours collectively (e.g., movement behaviours...

The symbolic power of decriminalization and recriminalization in shaping stigma toward people who use drugs in British Columbia

In January 2023, British Columbia (BC) implemented a three-year decriminalization pilot to reduce harms of drug criminalization and address stigma toward people who use drugs. In May 2024, the policy was amended to “recriminalize” drug possession, a reform that excluded most publ...

Interpersonal Predictors of Youth Internalizing Symptom Trajectories During the COVID‐19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted youths' interpersonal relationships, posing risks for internalizing distress. Yet, evidence remains limited beyond the early pandemic waves and with changing interpersonal contexts. This study examined trajectories of youth internaliz...

A Novel Approach to Characterizing Patterns of Real-World Upper-Extremity Use During Walking and Activities of Daily Living in People with Subacute Stroke

In accelerometer-based measurement, the inclusion of upper extremity (UE) activity during walking can overestimate real-world functional UE use in people post-stroke. This study introduces a comprehensive, accelerometer-based approach to examining real-world UE use, including the...

Housing opacity in North America and beyond: a feasibility study

The availability and access to rental ownership data have become a growing topic of interest among academics, housing organisations, policy makers, and advocacy groups. It is increasingly obvious that data infrastructures play a big role in facilitating the access, workability, a...

Differential Impact of Body Mass Index on Minimal Disease Activity Across Therapies in Psoriatic Arthritis

Objectives Overweight and obesity are associated with reduced odds of achieving minimal disease activity (MDA). Whether this effect is mediated by direct inflammation or psychosocial factors remains unclear. This study aimed to assess a) the influence of body mass index (BMI) on...

The opposing effects of shortened days and cooling temperatures on tundra plant senescence

Plant responses to global change are well-studied in spring and early summer but less so in late summer, particularly in tundra ecosystems. It remains unclear whether senescence is driven more by temperature or photoperiod, and whether species respond similarly under late-season...